Skier Killed By Avalanche

Alaska State Troopers recovered the body of a missing skier caught in an avalanche in Hatcher Pass.

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Mar 20, 2011 at 8:08 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 21, 2011 at 5:18 PM AKDT

Alaska State Troopers have recovered the body of a missing skier caught in an avalanche on Saturday in Hatcher Pass.

On Sunday morning, a rescue team recovered the body of 65-year-old James E. Helling of Palmer, who was skiing with his friend 54-year-old Jerry Kallam, also from Palmer.

Both men were backcountry skiing when an avalanche struck Saturday afternoon, leaving Helling buried under the snow and his friend injured.

When Troopers arrived on scene they found Kallam with a broken leg and immediately air lifted him to Mat-Su Regional Hospital. Rescue teams began searching for Helling but were unsuccessful, Alaska State Troopers Helo 1 responded to the scene and dropped relief supplies but was unable to land because of tough terrain.

After the search resumed on Sunday morning, rescue teams were able to locate and recover the body of Helling within two hours at the original site.

The effort included State Parks, Alaska Search And Rescue Dogs, Nordic Ski and Rescue, and the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group.

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